Rising Stars: Meet Paisley Greer of Douglasville, GA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paisley Greer.

Hi Paisley, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Inverness, Florida, a small town where dreams didn’t stretch far beyond the county line. My biggest goal as a teenager was simple: maybe one day I could become the manager at my Wendy’s. I’d tell myself that if I worked hard enough, maybe I could run that store and make something of myself.

What people didn’t see was the world I went home to – a home filled with addiction, chaos, and neglect. There were nights I slept in my car in the Wendy’s parking lot, because that was the safest place I knew. In public, I was the overachiever – starting nonprofits, performing at community events, singing, and playing piano – but privately, I was just trying to survive.

My grandmother raised me by the piano, teaching me Broadway songs and the belief that music could make life beautiful, even when things were hard. I used to dream of being a singer, but I realized I didn’t need to be in the spotlight – I just wanted to create moments of light for others.

In high school, everything changed when I was chosen for Take Stock in Children, and through my incredible mentor, Henny, I received the Leaders 4 Life Fellowship. For the first time, someone told me, You are worth investing in. That scholarship didn’t just give me an education — it gave me hope. It was the first time I felt seen not for my pain, but for my potential.

I went on to the University of Central Florida, where I poured myself into learning. I earned three degrees in four years – in Computer Science/Digital Media, Entertainment Management, and a Minor in Technological Entrepreneurship -because I was hungry for possibility. Education became my healing. It was proof that I could build something new out of the wreckage I came from.

But healing isn’t linear. At 21, I lost my mother to addiction. It was devastating – the kind of pain that shakes the foundation of who you are. She had her demons, but she also had these moments of beauty – the fruit plates she’d make me, the Greek festivals we’d go to, the little surprises she’d leave in my room. Losing her taught me to hold space for both — love and hurt, chaos and compassion. It was in that tension that I found my voice as a storyteller.

I began using creativity as a way to process and connect – founding Paisley Entertainment, where I wrote and directed award-winning films about real-world issues and disabilities. My art became a reflection of resilience – not just mine, but the human kind.

That passion opened doors I never thought I’d walk through – working with Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, Marvel Studios, National Geographic, and immersive and VR companies that push the boundaries of storytelling. I went from being the girl in the Wendy’s parking lot to producing global immersive experiences, managing multi-million-dollar creative projects, and leading teams that merge technology and emotion to create connection.

Every opportunity has been fueled by the same purpose that’s been with me since those nights in the car – to build experiences that make people feel seen, understood, and less alone.

Today, I’m completing my Executive MBA at Georgia Tech, expanding my leadership and strategy perspective while serving as the Business Strategy consultant at Relative Scale, where I help shape and expand the future of immersive storytelling and experiential design.

But titles and credits aside – what I’m most proud of is that I’ve found peace. I’ve built a home filled with love, creativity, and safety – the things I once dreamed of. I’m endlessly grateful for my partner, who supports me through it all – grounding me, cheering me on, and reminding me that I don’t have to carry the weight of the world alone anymore.

My story isn’t about success. It’s about survival. It’s about taking trauma – the neglect, the abuse, the loss – and turning it into something beautiful. It’s about choosing to believe that even after everything, you still deserve a good life.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your beginnings don’t define your boundaries. Where you come from can hurt you, but it can also teach you empathy, strength, and purpose.

I’m living proof that you can come from nothing – from darkness, from pain, from a Wendy’s parking lot – and still create a life full of light.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all – it’s been anything but smooth. My road has had more potholes than pavement, especially in the beginning. I come from a home that was full of addiction and instability. There were years where I was navigating neglect, emotional abuse, and trauma – even sleeping in my car some nights when it felt safer than being inside.

Those experiences left scars, but they also built the foundation for my resilience. I had to grow up quickly and learn how to rely on myself while still holding on to empathy for others. Losing my mother to addiction at 21 was one of the hardest moments of my life. It forced me to face years of pain, grief, and the complicated love that comes from caring for someone who’s both your greatest teacher and your deepest wound.

Professionally, I’ve faced my share of setbacks, too – layoffs, creative rejection, burnout, and the constant challenge of proving myself in industries that can be unpredictable and demanding. But those challenges have shaped me into a more grounded and compassionate leader. They taught me how to show up with both strength and softness – how to build teams and tell stories that remind people they’re not alone in their struggles.

The road wasn’t smooth, but I wouldn’t trade it. Every challenge gave me perspective, every loss gave me depth, and every setback helped me find my voice. The bumps in the road are what turned survival into purpose.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I’m a storyteller and builder of experiences. I specialize in bringing ambitious creative visions – whether they exist in film, virtual reality, gaming, or immersive environments – into the real world. My work sits at the crossroads of technology, art, and emotion, and I’m most energized when I’m helping teams translate imagination into something people can actually feel.

Right now, I lead business strategy at Relative Scale, where I help shape the future of immersive storytelling and experiential design. I work closely with both creative and technical teams to design experiences that connect with audiences in meaningful ways – from concept and narrative development all the way through production and delivery.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the world’s most visionary teams – including Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, Marvel Studios, and National Geographic – as well as innovative VR and immersive technology companies. I’ve managed and produced everything from award-winning films to multi-million-dollar interactive installations, digital exhibits, and cutting-edge XR experiences.

I’m known for being the calm in the storm – the person who can bridge creativity and structure, turning big ideas into actionable strategies. I thrive in that balance between chaos and clarity. My strength lies in helping others shine – guiding diverse teams with empathy, curiosity, and clear communication.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the titles or projects; it’s the journey that got me here. I grew up in a small town in Florida where I never thought I’d even leave my zip code – and now I’ve traveled to over 40 countries (that was literally in less than 10 years). Every trip, every project, every connection reminds me of how far life can take you when you lead with purpose and heart.

Before this chapter, I founded Paisley Entertainment, where I wrote and directed films about real-world issues and disabilities – stories that gave voice to people often overlooked. That experience taught me that storytelling isn’t just about entertainment – it’s about healing, representation, and understanding.

What sets me apart is that I lead with both strategy and empathy. I understand the technical, logistical, and financial sides of production, but I never lose sight of the human side – the emotions, the people, the “why” behind the work. I know what it means to start with nothing, to push through fear and uncertainty, and to still believe in something bigger.

That’s the heart of what I do – I build experiences that connect people, inspire wonder, and remind us all that no matter where we come from, there’s no limit to where we can go.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is “adventure” – the feeling of being free, of exploring the world and realizing that the chains that once held me down are finally broken.

I grew up in a small town where I never thought I’d leave my zip code. Back then, my world felt so small. Now, I’ve been to over 40 countries, and every time I step off a plane in a new place, I feel that same rush: I made it out. I’m free.

Traveling has become a form of healing for me. It’s proof that the world is so much bigger than the pain I came from. Standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, walking through temples in Thailand, hiking volcanoes in Guatemala – each moment feels like reclaiming a piece of myself that was once lost. It’s like I’m constantly reminding that younger version of me, “Look what we’ve become. Look how far we’ve come.”

Adventure makes me feel alive because it’s more than movement – it’s meaning. It’s the reminder that there’s always more to learn, more to see, more to feel. It keeps me humble, grateful, and endlessly curious.

And beyond the travel itself, I find adventure in creation – in storytelling, in taking risks, in building things that didn’t exist before. I’ve learned that happiness doesn’t come from comfort; it comes from courage – from stepping into the unknown and trusting that you belong there.

Adventure makes me happy because it represents freedom – freedom from fear, from limitation, from the smallness of what I used to think life could be. It’s not just about where I go. It’s about who I get to be when I get there.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: paisleys_wanderlust
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paisleygreer/